New NHS England data shows that more than 10,000 calls have been made to Martha’s Rule helplines in the first 16 months of the NHS patient safety initiative, helping to identify deterioration earlier and trigger urgent reviews of care.
Between September 2024 and December 2025, 10,119 escalation calls were made by patients, families and staff. Of these, 3,457 calls (34%) identified rapid worsening of a patient’s condition, enabling hospital teams to intervene quickly.
The data shows that 1,885 patients received changes to their treatment, including 446 potentially life-saving interventions, such as transfers to enhanced levels of care.
In addition, more than 6,000 calls raised concerns about communication, coordination or aspects of clinical care, helping improve care and navigation for patients and families.
Calls to Martha’s Rule helplines have more than doubled since June 2025, reflecting the continued rollout of the initiative across the NHS. All adult and paediatric acute inpatient sites are now in the process of implementing Martha’s Rule, supported by communication campaigns across hospitals to raise awareness among patients, families and staff.
Martha’s Rule was introduced following the death of Martha Mills, who died in 2021 aged 13 after developing sepsis in hospital. A coroner later concluded that she would probably have survived had she been transferred to intensive care earlier.
The initiative requires staff to take a structured approach to obtaining information from patients and families about changes in a patient’s condition, and enables patients, carers and staff to request an urgent clinical review if deterioration is suspected and not being addressed.
Find out more: www.england.nhs.uk/2026/03/over-10000-calls-to-marthas-rule-in-first-16-months-to-trigger-urgent-review-of-care/
Featured Events:
Recognising and Responding to Deterioration in Paediatrics
Implementing Martha’s Rule and PEWS in Practice
Tue, 21 Apr 2026 | Virtual, Online CPD Conference
This conference focuses on recognising & responding to the deteriorating patient in paediatrics and ensuring best practice in the use of the National Paediatric Early Warning System. The conference will include National Developments including effective implementation of PEWS in inpatient and emergency departments, Marthas Rule in Paediatrics and will update you on the November 2025 Suspected sepsis in under 16s: recognition, diagnosis and early management.
Recognising and Responding to Deterioration in Mental Health
Preparing for Martha’s Rule in Mental Health Settings
Thu, 15 Oct 2026 | Virtual, Online CPD Conference
This conference focuses on recognising and responding to deterioration in mental health settings, and looks ahead to the implementation of Martha’s Rule in mental health which is now established in the acute sector and currently being piloted in mental health.
